Film Expiry Dates

Beano

Does the expiry date on film relate to the date that the film should be used to shoot pictures by or the date that the film should be developed by?

peter1892

It's usually a 'process by' date...

FinoBlad

its the develop by date correct.

Fajitas!

Don't worry too much about it to be honest. I've often purposfully shot on expired film. Gives odd effects, extra contrast etc.

Beano

Thanks for the info.

jlang

I bought 30 rolls from 7dayshop at something like 12p each. I was buying other stuff too so I just added them to the order. They were only a couple of months out of date and I was more concerned that it was a cheap brand than by the expired-ness. I think all my pics from the Love Ulster riots and the Parade were with these. The scans are Fuji shop scans so not too good, but the prints look fine. It's only to keep me going and learning till I can justify going digital.

Here's a couple of pages with info...
http://flickr.com/groups/expired/
http://www.frugalphotographer.com/using_expired_film.htm

FinoBlad

jlang wrote:

I bought 30 rolls from 7dayshop at something like 12p each. I was buying other stuff too so I just added them to the order. They were only a couple of months out of date and I was more concerned that it was a cheap brand than by the expired-ness. I think all my pics from the Love Ulster riots and the Parade were with these. The scans are Fuji shop scans so not too good, but the prints look fine. It's only to keep me going and learning till I can justify going digital.

Clever clever dude

greglo23

if you get a good deal on film then stick it in the fridge. it stops it from ageing ! i had some old black & white stock some years ago which was easily 5 years old and still perfect as it was kept in the fridge. take it out the day before you want to use it to let it get to ambient temp and away you go !!

ender ender

Fajitas! wrote:

Don't worry too much about it to be honest. I've often purposfully shot on expired film. Gives odd effects, extra contrast etc.

I agree it gives some nice effects, plus it's cheaper!

Fajitas!

Yup. Half the price for medium format in Jessops for the 5 packs if it's any good to anyone. Never got a price for 35mm though!